• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2019

Probiotics stabilize intestinal microflora, reduce constipation, reduce decay by inhibiting harmful bacteria, and prevent diseases. Probiotics have also been studied for their possible roles in immune activation, treatment of cancer, remediation of cholesterol, treatment of diabetes, alleviation of allergies, and relief of lactose intolerance. However, recent data concerning the side effects of probiotics have prompted debate regarding their efficacy and safety. Major adverse events associated with probiotics are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, and vomiting, along with skin rash and urticaria. Probiotics occasionally cause sepsis in infants with poor immunity and elderly people with severe diseases. In contrast to previous studies that described the efficacy of probiotics in intestinal regulation, some recent studies have reported that the activity of intestinal microbes becomes weak as a result of the influx of probiotics. The data indicate that the safety of probiotics is not guaranteed and that further investigations are needed.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.166-174
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• 2017

The bacterial cells located within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) outnumber the host's cells by a factor of ten. These human digestive-tract microbes are referred to as the gut microbiota. During the last ten years, our understanding of gut microbiota composition and its relation with intra- and extra-intestinal diseases including risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, have greatly increased. A question which frequently arises in the research community is whether one can modulate the gut microbial environment to 'control' risk factors in CVD. In this review, we summarized promising intervention methods, based on our current knowledge of intestinal microbiota in modulating CVD. Furthermore, we explore how gut microbiota can be therapeutically exploited by targeting their metabolic program to control pathologic factors of CVD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2009

Korean ginseng, which contains ginsenosides and polysaccharides as its main constituents, is orally administered to humans. Ginsenosides and polysaccharides are not easily absorbed by the body through the intestines due to their hydrophilicity. Therefore, these constituents which include ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc, inevitably come into contact with intestinal microflora in the alimentary tract and can be metabolized by intestinal microflora. Since most of the metabolites such as compound K and protopanaxatriol are nonpolar compared to the parental components, these metabolites are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The absorbed metabolites may express pharmacological actions, such as antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective effects. However, the activities that metabolize these constituents to bioactive compounds differ significantly between individuals because all individuals possess characteristic indigenous strains of intestinal bacteria. Recently, ginseng has been fermented with enzymes or microbes to develop ginsengs that contain these metabolites. However, before using these enzymes and probiotics, their safety and biotransforming activity should be assessed. Intestinal microflora play an important role in the pharmacological action of orally administered ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2012

The major commercial ginsengs are Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean ginseng), P. quinquifolium L. (American ginseng), and P. notoginseng (Burk.) FH Chen (Notoginseng). P. ginseng is the most commonly used as an adaptogenic agent and has been shown to enhance physical performance, promote vitality, increase resistance to stress and aging, and have immunomodulatory activity. These ginsengs contain saponins, which can be classified as dammarane-type, ocotillol-type and oleanane-type oligoglycosides, and polysaccharides as main constituents. Dammarane ginsenosides are transformed into compounds such as the ginsenosides $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, and $Rk_1$ by steaming and heating and are metabolized into metabolites such as compound K, ginsenoside $Rh_1$, proto- and panaxatriol by intestinal microflora. These metabolites are nonpolar, pharmacologically active and easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. However, the activities metabolizing these constituents into bioactive compounds differ significantly among individuals because all individuals possess characteristic indigenous strains of intestinal bacteria. To overcome this difference, ginsengs fermented with enzymes or microbes have been developed.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.177.3-177.3
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• 2003

Corticosteroids have been used most frequently for inflammatory bowel disease. To reduce side effects by the systemic absorption, colon-specific delivery is highly desirable. We expected that conversion of 21-hydroxyl in glucocorticoids into a sulfate ester sodium will greatly increase the hydrophilicity, which consequently restrict the gastrointestinal absorption. Once delivered to the colon, sulfate ester will be hydrolyzed by the sulfatase originated from microbes and release the parent compound, glucocorticoids. In this study, we prepared methylprednisolone 21-sulfate sodium (MPS) and investigated its suitability as a colon-specific prodrug on methylprednisolone (MP). (omitted)

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.6-14
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• 2024

Gastric cancer is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide. The primary cause of gastric cancer is known to be Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The advancement of molecular biology has enabled the identification of microbiomes that could not be confirmed through cultivation, and it has been revealed that the microbial communities vary among normal mucosa, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer. It has also been confirmed that the composition of the microbial community differs depending on the presence or absence of H. pylori. Whether changes in the microbiome are causative factors in the carcinogenesis process is not yet clear. Experiments using animal models and in vitro studies on the role of microbes other than H. pylori in the carcinogenic process are underway, but the data is still insufficient.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1461-1476
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• 2009

This review focuses on the metabolic and osmoregulatory functions of betaine and its impact on nutrient digestibility and performance in pigs and poultry. Betaine is the trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine, and is present in plant and animal tissue. It has been shown to play an important role in osmoregulation of plants, bacteria and marine organisms. Due to its chemical structure, betaine exerts a number of functions both at the gastrointestinal and metabolic level. As a methyl group donor, betaine is involved in transmethylation reactions and donates its labile methyl group for the synthesis of several metabolically active substances such as creatine and carnitine. Therefore, supplementation of betaine may reduce the requirement for other methyl group donors such as methionine and choline. Beneficial effects on intestinal cells and intestinal microbes have been reported following betaine supplementation to diets for pigs and poultry, which have been attributed to the osmotic properties of betaine. Furthermore, betaine potentially enhances the digestibility of specific nutrients, in particular fiber and minerals. Moreover, at the metabolic level, betaine is involved in protein and energy metabolism. Growth trials revealed positive effects of supplemental betaine on growth performance in pigs and poultry, and there is evidence that betaine acts as a carcass modifier by reducing the carcass fat content. In conclusion, due to its various metabolic and osmoregulatory functions, betaine plays an important role in the nutrition of monogastric animals.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2016

Members of the genus Bifidobacterium are prevalent in the human colon and represent up to 90% of all bacteria in fecal samples of breast-fed infants, and 3~5% of adult fecal microbiota. Bifidobacteria produce organic acids, thus reducing the colon pH to a level inhibitory for pathogenic bacteria. They can also detoxify a number of toxic compounds and adhere to the colon mucosa, thus preventing the adherence of pathogens and induction of colon cancer. Recently, we identified a novel Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum strain, KACC 91563, in a fecal sample of a Korean neonate, and demonstrated its functional properties. We showed that B. longum KACC 91563 alleviates food allergy through mast cell suppression and produces antioxidative and antihypertensive peptides by casein hydrolysis. Dairy products are considered as an ideal food system for the delivery of probiotic cultures to the human gastrointestinal tract. Cheese affords protection to probiotic microbes during gastric transit due to its relatively high pH, more solid consistency, higher fat content, and higher buffering capacity. Incorporation of B. longum KACC 91563 into cheese making is currently under study.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2018

This paper defines the common features of synbiotics based on the definition of probiotics and prebiotics, and reviews the effectiveness of synbiotic food. The concept of synbiotics is defined as 'a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics that have a beneficial effect on the host, as a dietary supplement that alters living organisms in the gastrointestinal tract and improves their survival.' Synbiotic food contains ingredients with beneficial microbes that are expected to improve interactions between microbial and useful substances. Synbiotic foods may have anti-cancer and immune system-boosting effects. Improved digestion, healthier bowel movements, and overall increased intestinal health has been reported were reported after increasing the healthy microorganisms within the intestinal tract. In addition, depending on the type of food containing the symbiotic ingredients, more consistent weight control, improvement of cardiovascular health, and lower blood glucose levels may also be expected. Unlike previous studies, this review of synbiotics has shown that it is necessary for synergistic effects to take place among microorganisms and components to be further studied. Further research is needed on the safety and ingestion of microorganisms contained in synbiotics.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2019

In the past gut microbiome has been the main focus of microbiome research. Studies about the microbiome inside oral cavities and other organs are underway. Studies about the relationship between noninfectious diseases and periodontal diseases, and the negative effects of harmful oral microbes on systemic health have been published in the recent past. A lot of attention is being paid towards fostering a healthy oral microbial ecosystem. This study aimed to understand the roles and effects of the microbiome inside the human body can potentially help cure various diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases with no known cure such as Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, obesity, cancer, diabetes, brain diseases and oral diseases. The present study examined technological trends in the correlation between the human microbiome and diseases in the human body, interactions between the human body's immunity, the metabolic system, and the microbiome, and research trends in other countries. While it has been proven that human microbiome is closely correlated with human diseases, most studies are still in the early stage of trying to compare the composition of microbiomes between health and patient groups. Since the oral environment is a dynamic environment that changes due to not only food intake but also other external factors such as lifestyle, hygiene, and drug intake, it is necessary to continue in-depth research on the microbiome composition characteristics to understand the complex functions of oral microorganisms. Analyzing the oral microbiome using computational technology may aid in disease diagnosis and prevention.